FINAL COUNT DOWN

Monday morning, May 22, 2006, our crew has officially began moving up. Team No Limits Member, Doug Tumminello and affiliated climbers, Julie and Will  should arrive at Camp IV early this afternoon. They will seize the opportunity to rest on supplemental oxygen, rehydrate, and attempt to get some solid food down - while preparing to leave this evening. The climb from Camp IV to the summit goes through the night, requiring 9 to 12 hours (on average) to finish.

After taking a few summit pictures, the climbers have to turn around and come back down. This only allows a few precious moments for soaking in the awe, the beauty and victory of standing on top of the world. This makes the climb essentially a 30 hour journey - with a few hours rest at Camp IV. But hey that's what it's all about . . . the journey. TNL affiliated climbers, MJ and John Lee left Base Camp this morning. As our camp crew breaks down tent after tent, our camp is feeling more and more abandoned. Team No Limit members, Larry and Matt are gone. In addition, TNL affiliated climbers: Dirk, Jeff, MJ, John Lee, and now Klaus are gone. The evenings have been filled with the sounds of celebration as teams party into the night before preparing for departure.

This season is almost finished, yet Team No Limits marches on with one original member and two affiliated climbers left. Lets keep our eyes on the summit and our minds on the team. Team No Limits has endured  paramount hardship. From logistical problems, tragedy, and the loss of two team members, the team's last original member, Doug Tumminello, remains determined and continues moving forward. We remain optimistic that Doug will take Team No Limits and the principles upon which it was founded, to the roof of the world.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take.
Life is measured by the moments that take your breath away.